Ulman, Howard council honor National POW/MIA recognition day

The black-and-white POW/MIA flag, with its image of a hunched prisoner flanked by barbed wire and a menacing guard tower looming overhead, has been a sober reminder since 1971 of the more than 83,000 American soldiers who have been taken prisoner of war or gone missing in action since World War II.

Timed to coincide with the event, held annually on the third Friday of September, the County Council has introduced a bill that would ensure the POW/MIA flag flies alongside the U.S. and state flags at three government sites on six designated days a year.

If the bill is passed, the county would fly the POW/MIA flag on the following days:

Howard County executive candidates Courtney Watson and Allan Kittleman agreed Tuesday night that this year's election is critically important to the county's future. Where they differed was over whose vision would best serve Howard residents.

With less than two months to go until the general election, Howard County voters have been hearing a lot lately from both county executive candidates. Early this week, each campaign released a new TV ad.